Liam Delap has been handed Chelsea’s famous No.9 shirt, a number that has weighed heavily on several strikers before him, but former Blues forward Olivier Giroud believes the youngster has what it takes to succeed. Delap recently completed a £30 million switch from Ipswich and is set to make his debut at the upcoming Club World Cup after signing a six-year deal.
The No.9 shirt at Stamford Bridge has seen a long list of big names falter under pressure—Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres, Gonzalo Higuain, and others all struggled to live up to expectations. Since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s forgettable spell, the number has remained unused until Delap’s arrival.
Giroud, who wore the No.9 at AC Milan, recalled a similar warning he received from club legend Paolo Maldini about the supposed curse of the number. The Frenchman dismissed the superstition and went on to have a successful stint, stating that a striker’s success isn’t defined by the number on his back but by his mentality and resilience.
He emphasized that being a forward comes with intense scrutiny—one day a hero, the next in the spotlight for missed chances. Giroud believes Delap has the mental strength and character to handle that pressure and shine in Chelsea’s attack.
Delap joins a Chelsea squad full of young talent ahead of their Club World Cup campaign. Alongside forwards like Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Christopher Nkunku, the 21-year-old will be looking to stake his claim in a competitive setup under high expectations.
Giroud praised Delap’s ability and believes the team environment will help him settle quickly. “He’s very talented,” Giroud said. “The boys will help him settle well. I think he will be fine.”
Chelsea kick off their Club World Cup journey against LAFC on June 16, with further fixtures against Flamengo and ES Tunis later in the month.